Big Island search for girl's killer continues

By Hugh Clark
Big Island Bureau

HAWAIIAN BEACHES, Hawai'i — Residents were fearful and anxious after a child was found slain inside a vacant house in this rural Puna community.

The body of Kauilani Tadeo, 6, was found after a search. Courtesy Channel 8

Mothers huddled near a concession stand at the community park yesterday to carefully watch their children at play and to discuss Thursday's slaying of 6-year-old Kauilani Tadeo.

Big Island police remained congregated around a cordoned-off home on the bottom of Opihi Street, where the body was discovered Thursday evening after a frantic two-hour search for the missing child, who lived three doors away.

"Everyone is terrified," said grandmother Puanani Cadaoas as she hugged an infant in her arms.

"This will definitely have an effect on our community," said Cadaoas, who has lived in the neighborhood for 28 years. Until now, she said, she had always considered "this a safe place, especially for our children."

The spookiest part, she said, "is no one knows why." Others echoed her fear and confusion.

Some were angry. "The cops had better get him before one of us do," said a tattooed construction worker, who did not want to share his name.

Wesley Farias, who has lived in the rural subdivision of 3,700 for five years, said most people took the death hard. "This is one sad trip for everyone," said the mechanic and father of five. Like others, he said he will be watching his children more carefully.

Lisa Cadaoas, Puanani Cadaoas' daughter-in-law, said she wonders who may have played a role in the abduction and killing of the victim, widely known as "the cute little Tahitian dancer."

Her 6-year-old son, a classmate of Kauilani's, came home from school Friday full of questions. "We can answer some of them," Lisa Cadaoas said. "But how do you tell a little boy why his classmate was killed?"

Counselors and administrators at the nearby Keonepoko Elementary School offered to try to help parents cope, sending a letter home with children on Friday giving various school numbers to call.

Parents said the school sent teams of counselors and teachers to speak briefly about the killing with students in each classroom.

Cory Rodrigues said she was bothered by the crazy nature of the action, saying what happened is "not normal," and wondering if drugs played a role in the killing.

Some children in the neighborhood have said that they saw a male on a bicycle following the girl, but descriptions of his size and age vary.

Police continued to withhold details about injuries Kauilani suffered, but have reported that she died from a blow to the head.

Six police patrol units and a mobile crime laboratory van were inside the heavily guarded and enclosed area yesterday combing through the house for evidence and clues.

Two experts from the Honolulu Police Department's crime laboratory joined in the effort yesterday morning.

An autopsy was conducted at Hilo Medical Center, police spokesman Capt. James Day said Friday.

Kauilani's family is making funeral arrangements.